"What is Enlightenment?" by Immanuel Kant Jamie Peters

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       What is Enlightenment by Immanuel Kant relates heavily to the modern college life. In high school, teenagers are told what to do, where to go, how to live. Essentially, it has conditioned young people how to live under tutelage obediently, never having a thought for oneself. As the transition from high school to college is made, the eyes of these young people are opened to the freedom and revelation that is "real life". Many people, unfortunately, abuse this enlightenment of sorts in order to be successful in life. As Kant says, they are under "self incurred tutelage" (Kant). They follow whatever is most popular or, in these days, least offensive, never taking time to consider the deeper meaning of these opinions.
       However, real enlightenment, as explained by Kant, is the realization of other ideas besides the authorities in life, including one's own. This revelation encourages young people to finally start thinking for themselves and to study deeper into the "norms" of life. Why must we always try to not offend people? What is wrong with inquiring about the word of God, to see why the writers wrote this or that? The world will never gain this knowledge, and become better by it, without enlightenment, reason, and revelation.

Comments

Eliza Colbert said…
I like how you point out that true enlightenment goes beyond the realm of self. Kant devotes a large portion of his essay to describing different ways that people can escape tutelage by becoming scholars and telling the public about their thoughts. Enlightenment doesn't do anyone much good if the enlightened person stays inside all day.
August 22, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Sydney Snow said…
I kind of wrote something similar in my post, but you have expanded farther than I did. I agree that Kant's work can be taken into and relate heavily (as you said) to modern college life. As children, we were never allowed to make our own decisions or think for ourselves due to lack of understanding or having protective parents/guardians. But, after a couple of years,we expect and depend on momma and daddy or whoever is there to help was with everything in life. Later, we are tossed into the real world to fend for ourselves. I love when older literature and art can still apply and even teach us some lessons. I am glad that you have made that connection as well.
August 22, 2019 at 8:27 PM
Moriah Nelson said…
I didn't initially make the connection of high school vs. college thought in light of Kant's writing but I definitely agree with you on that point. We must never be afraid to go against the flow of society, even when involving matters of which we are currently comfortable because they are familiar. It would be a gross disservice to ourselves to accept every thought and idea that is daily fed to us or to try to keep up with society's ever-changing idea of perfection and happiness.
August 24, 2019 at 1:01 PM
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